We hope you’re enjoying our blog posts and that they’ve left you craving some of the great seafood we offer!   But what can you do if you’re a chef or restaurant owner living outside of our normal distribution area? You’re in luck! Our national shipping program, SMS Chef Express, was created for chefs like you…whether you’re looking for some great California favorites like yellowtail or spiny lobster, or want to support our sustainability efforts by ordering Chesapeake Ray or items from CleanFish, we want to work with you!

Just like every order we fill here at Santa Monica Seafood our Chef Express orders start with the most carefully selected fish and shellfish available. Our vendors are thoroughly vetted and we spend a lot of time and energy keeping up with their efforts.  We’re happy to provide detailed information on any of the products we carry.

Careful attention to the shipping process is key for us.  We worked closely with FedEx to refine our packaging system; starting with an exterior box, which has passed FedEx’s rigorous testing process, and holds up to 60 pounds of seafood.  An insulating foil liner assists in maintaining temperature and avoiding leakage.  Additionally, all our fresh product is vacuum sealed to minimize damage and to reduce moisture loss during shipping.

We’re also happy to ship items from our freezer inventory. Whether you’re looking for a specific shrimp, or a deal off our Seafood Specials sheet, we’re happy to accommodate! Frozen product will be enclosed in plastic bags. And, if you’re curious about our selection of live seafood like oysters or lobsters – we can ship those too!

• All orders include cold packs to maintain an internal product temperature of 38 Degrees.
• This entire packaging process takes place in a 38 degree environment to further ensure that when you receive your product it is as fresh as possible.
• If you want a visual tour – check out these great photos of the packing process.

If you’re looking to work with a nationally recognized seafood company that focuses on sustainability, food safety and quality – try our SMS Chef Express program!